The Independent National Electoral Commission says the growing number of political parties in Nigeria may pose challenges for the commission in the 2019 general elections.

An INEC official, Professor Bolade Eyinla, said this in Abuja on Monday. Eyinla said so far, 68 political parties had been registered.

He added that with over 100 political associations seeking registration, the number might increase before the elections which could cause logistical problems, including the production of ballot papers.

The INEC official said if 68 parties participated in the elections, it could also mean that a total of 68 party agents would be at each polling unit, which could cause the elections to be rowdy.

He also added that he did not know whether INEC would be able to monitor the congresses, conventions and primaries of all parties contesting over 1,000 elective positions each across the nation.

Eyinla said if any registered political party is mistakenly omitted from the ballot paper, it could lead to the total cancellation of the exercise.